Peter Arthur Charman was born on 24 December 1923 in Surbiton, Surrey, the youngest of the three children of George Henry Charman (1874-1944) and Alice Maud Charman née Alderman (1889-1977). His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1924 in the Kingston registration district, Surrey. His brothers were: William George F. Charman (1919-1980) and John Jack Charman (1921-2003).
In the 1939 England and Wales Register he is recorded as a garage assistant living at 8 Ferguson Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey, with his parents and brothers. His father's occupation was shown as a tar paver and his brother, William, was listed as Rifleman No.7014972 in the London Irish Rifles (T.A.).
He joined the Royal Navy, Service Number P/JX365848, and as an Able Seaman he died on war service, aged 20 years, on 13 October 1944 whilst serving aboard H.M.L.C.T. 2454. Of the eleven naval personnel who were aboard this landing craft, he was one of the nine who died when her engine failed and she foundered off Chesil Beach, Dorset, during a Force 9 gale. The Calshot Divers website gives more details of the incident.
He was buried in Section 16, Grave 5037, in Surbiton Cemetery, 58 Lower Marsh Lane, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 3BJ.
He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and there is also a plaque attached to the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre in memory of those who lost their lives in this incident.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
